Method and system for electronic payment of missed tolls

• US 20090083133A1
• Filed: 09/12/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (State of Illinois)
• Original Assignee: Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (State of Illinois)
• Inventors: Maka, Wendy, Morache, Thomas, Levar, Michael T. JR., Catolico, Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/283,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20090083133A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/13
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/00 Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points handling coins or valuable papers, e.g. banknotes, G07D; apparatus for vending or hiring articles or services activated by coins, credit cards, paper currency or the like G07F7/00, G07F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00

Abstract

A method and system for the electronic payment of unpaid or missed tolls utilizing a web-based system that records information relating to the unpaid or missed tolls and provides access to drivers or customers to a website whereby drivers/customers can electronically arrange for non-cash payment of unpaid or missed tolls. The method and system also allows for the ability to audit various types of information relating to such payments, to remove or delete information relating to violations when payment has been made and to generate various reports for accounting, financial, enforcement and other operational purposes.

Claims

1. A method of reconciling missed transactions comprising:

identifying and storing one or more missed transactions in at least one database;

accessing said database via the internet;

entering information relating to the one or more missed transactions into the database; and

electronically providing payment for the one or more missed transactions via the internet.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the identified missed transactions and the information relating to the missed transactions are each stored in a single database.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the identified missed transactions and the information relating to the missed transactions are stored in multiple databases.

4. The method according to claim 1 further comprising generating a receipt confirming payment of the missed transaction.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said missed transactions comprise unpaid tolls, outstanding monetary penalties, outstanding debts for goods, or outstanding debts for services.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein payment of the missed transaction is provided electronically through the use of a debit card, a credit card, or an electronic check.

7. The method according to claim 1 further comprising calculating the amount due for reconciling the missed transaction.

8. The method according to claim 1 further providing editing the information entered relating to the missed transactions prior to providing payment of the missed transaction.

9. The method according to claim 1 further comprising generating one or more statistical reports based on the information stored in the at least one database.

10. The method according to claim 1 further comprising entering information related to a notice of a missed transaction into said database.

11. The method according to claim 1 further comprising

creating a user account having a login name and a password for providing a user access to information entered and stored in said database relating to missed transactions.

12. A method of reconciling missed toll transactions comprising:

identifying a missed toll transaction via electronic surveillance equipment;

storing information acquired by said electronic surveillance equipment relating to said missed toll transaction in at least one database;

accessing said at least one database via the internet;

entering and storing additional information relating to the missed toll transaction into the at least one database; and

electronically providing payment of the missed toll transaction via the internet.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein the identified missed toll transaction and the information relating to the missed toll transaction are each stored in a single database.

14. The method according to claim 12 wherein the identified missed toll transaction and the information relating to the missed toll transaction are stored in multiple databases.

15. The method according to claim 12 further comprising generating a receipt confirming payment of the missed toll transaction.

16. The method according to claim 12 wherein payment of the missed toll transaction is provided electronically through the use of a debit card, a credit card, or an electronic check.

17. The method according to claim 12 further comprising calculating the amount due for reconciling the missed toll transaction.

18. The method according to claim 12 further providing editing the information entered relating to the missed toll transactions prior to providing payment of the missed toll transaction.

19. The method according to claim 12 further comprising generating one or more statistical reports based on the information stored in the at least one database.

20. The method according to claim 12 further comprising creating a user account having a login name and a password for providing a user access to information entered and stored in said database relating to missed toll transactions.

21. A method of reconciling missed transactions comprising:

identifying one or more missed transactions;

storing said missed transactions in at least one database;

accessing said at least one database via the internet;

entering information relating to the one or more missed transactions into the at least one database;

cross-referencing said identified missed transactions with said entered information relating to the one or more missed transactions;

calculating the amount due for reconciling the one or more missed transactions; and

electronically providing payment of the amount due for the one or more missed transactions via the internet.

22. The method according to claim 21 wherein said missed transactions comprise unpaid tolls, outstanding monetary penalties, outstanding debts for goods, or outstanding debts for services.